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4.
Mr. Smith accepted that some ingenuity would be needed in the case of a country such as Hong Kong (which while considered as developing had in fact achieved a high degree of development in many fields) to ensure that it received financial benefits from the scheme proportionate to its contribution. Put another way, Hong Kong might not need the services of the scheme in that it could obtain similar services directly, but membership need not cost Hong Kong anything. It could recover its contribution, and more, by selecting appropriate services such as use of consultants. There would in addition be benefits from Common- wealth contacts. Hong Kong could itself also contribute to the scheme by providing training places in universities and technical institutions here (although it was recognised that places would be limited owing to local demand) and in providing experts for service in other Commonwealth countries e.g. after retirement from service here with a relatively low retirement age. Law and taxation experts, among others, were also attached to the C.F.T.C. and others in the service of Commonwealth Governments could be made available. Exceptionally, in the field of export promotion non-commonwealth consultants in market research e.g. in the E.E.C. were employed. In reply to a question, Mr. Smith said that a Commonwealth Staff College for senior public administrators on the lines of the Royal College of Defence was being planned, but this was not expected to take shape for another year or so.
5.
Mr. Smith said the Commonwealth Secretariat was able to respond to requests for aid much more quickly than U.N. agencies which tended to be larger and more complicated. For example, in the case of a Zambian request for transport experts following the closure of their border, C.F.T.C. was able to react with assistance before the U.N. As between fellow members of the Commonwealth it was always possible to deal on a less formal basis.
6.
Mr. Smith referred to the many other side benefits of closer cooperation with the Commonwealth Secretariat such as attendance at Commonwealth Education Conference (which in any case we attended already) and conferences in the medical and youth fields. He suggested further contacts about joining, the C.F.T.C. could be made by the Hong Kong Government Office in London and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Such an informal approach would probably be simpler than one through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which had in any case given its general consent for Mr. Smith's discussions with the Hong Kong Government.
21.1.74.
SEA/jw
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